What is Pure Hypercholesterolemia?

You may wonder what is pure hypercholesterolemia. This is another name for familial hypercholesterolemia which is also called FH. Many people become conscious of cholesterol after the age of 30 and they may get their cholesterol tested and make lifestyle changes such as eating a low-fat diet and exercising several times a week. These are people who may have a family history of cardiovascular problems with risks that can become more pronounced with age.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is different because it is due to a genetic mutation in the liver which interferes with the processing of fats. Cholesterol provides benefits to our bodies, but in the HDL or high-density form. Low-density cholesterol is the problematic kind that can clog up arteries and raise one's risks for heart disease and stroke. If the liver cannot oxidize cholesterol, it ends up in the bloodstream and raises cholesterol levels. It also creates conditions in children that usually don't occur until later in life such as the buildup of plaque in blood vessels and heart problems.

Hypercholesterolemia symptoms

Unfortunately, it is hard to look for hypercholesterolemia symptoms because there are usually not signs until the problems have already developed. People may not know what is hypercholesterolemia but could be suffering from symptoms. If you have a history of heart disease or high cholesterol and the problem was noticed early on, you should have your children tested for hypercholesterolemia. The problem is hereditary and can affect one out of every 300 to 500 people around the globe.

If the parent has FH, there is a 50% chance the child will have it as well. If both parents have FH, it is likely that their children may develop a very severe form of FH which can lead to heart attacks occurring as early as teenage years. One sign of FH is having a cholesterol above 190 Mg/dL and for children a level above 160. Symptoms may include chest pain or bumps on the skin, but this may be a sign that the condition has already developed.

Living with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

The first question that many people ask after they have been diagnosed with FH is what is pure hypercholesterolemia? Even though the condition is not extremely rare, it is so little discussed that people who have been diagnosed with it might not know what is. The idea of you or your child having extremely elevated cholesterol can be frightening initially, but it is possible to live with the problem and manage it through a combination of lifestyle changes and medical strategies. Although the cholesterol will be elevated no matter what kind of diet and exercise regimen is adopted, eating a high-fat diet and living a sedentary lifestyle will certainly aggravate the symptoms. Anyone who has this condition should be on medication and could consider medical procedures such as having LDL-cholesterol removed from the bloodstream on a biweekly basis. With proper care and attention, children and adults can live long and active lives with pure hypercholesterolemia. If you know you have the condition, find out if your partner does is well, and if you have children, make sure they are tested for high cholesterol at an early age.

Bagrat Vosgi has only one mission: to help inform people. When he first started writing, he was fascinated with his ability to help people understand things. Since then, he has been writing to help educate people that want to learn more. In his ideal world, he would be writing from the Alps, sipping hot chocolate. For more information visit at- What is pure hypercholesterolemia

Familial Hypercholesterolemia is a disease that affects the heart, brain and cardiovascular system. Understanding what it is and the difference between Homozygous and Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia is the first step in treating it.